Online property training qualifications service The Able Agent has launched a new apprenticeship programme.

The Able Agent says it’s spotted a critical gap in training access, with a limited offering in estate agency and letting agency apprenticeships at Level 3. 

To help address the issue the company has chosen to partner with ITEC NE, a training provider in the North-East of England that specialises in digital training and apprenticeships.

The apprenticeship programme will enable participants to gain a City and Guilds Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration, the ABBE CEPAP Level 3 (Certificate in Property Advice and Practice), as well as develop functional skills in Mathematics and English. 

The 14 to 16-month long course is designed to help new or existing staff gain a nationally recognised, industry standard qualification and the expertise needed to give professional advice to clients.

 Charlotte Jeffrey-Campbell, co-founder and director of The Able Agent, says: “We wanted to deliver a training programme that would be accessible and beneficial to apprentices and businesses, with specific property content, as well as wider material around aspects of compliance and business development. 

“The combination of skills and qualifications mean apprentices are then able to look at working in an agency with a holistic view, thus facilitating them to progress rapidly in their career.

“At the end of the day, it is vital that those entering the industry are provided with a strong foundation of knowledge, which will build confidence and a passion that remains with them throughout their career. It is imperative that their agencies support them in getting it right from the start – creating well-rounded specialists.”

And Simon Mackin, director of Sweetmove agency near York – a firm which has recently appointed its first apprentice – says: “We are so keen to encourage new blood into the industry. We’re hot on personal service and wanted to ensure we can train up new members of staff in our style of agency; youngsters we can also offer excellent career prospects.

“Sweetmove has committed to enrol all apprentices on the Level 3 Apprenticeship programme, because it enables apprentices to learn about general business in a structured way. And by doing a level 3 rather than level 2 – they will be set up for any potential regulation under the Regulation of Property Agents.”